There's something about the festive season that makes getting away feel particularly appealing. And while a familiar five-star check-in is always an option, we've been looking at places with a little more personality.
A former billionaire's wine estate. A house built across a gorge. A palace surrounded by wilderness. Some of these places are so interesting, the hotel might just become the holiday.
Here are 14 stays that have our attention.
THE LEELA COORG FOREST SANCTUARY, COORG
Seventy-six acres of forest and coffee plantations, with private pool villas tucked into the Western Ghats. Between plantation trails, birdwatching and mornings surrounded by greenery, this is the kind of luxury that makes a city address feel slightly overrated.
Location: Madikeri, Coorg, Karnataka
Getting there: Fly to Kannur or Mangaluru, followed by a road transfer.
HOTEL IRADA, PUNE
Once Vijay Mallya's private wine estate, now a rather extraordinary place to check in. Set across 66 acres, the former manor combines dramatic architecture, vineyard experiences and interiors with plenty of character. A wine-country escape with a backstory worth discussing over dinner.
Location: Roti, Daund, Pune district, Maharashtra
Getting there: A road trip from Mumbai or a transfer from Pune.
Book here
CHUNDA SHIKAR OUDI, UDAIPUR
A former royal hunting retreat surrounded by private woodland and overlooking its own lake. With intimate accommodation, forest trails and opportunities for wildlife spotting, this is a side of Udaipur that has very little to do with its familiar palace circuit.
Location: Batharda Kalan, Udaipur district, Rajasthan
Getting there: Fly to Udaipur and continue by road.
Book here
PROJECT KARJAT, KARJAT
Architectural cabins hidden among trees, hills and water. No grand lobby, no predictable resort experience. Just thoughtfully designed spaces that make a strong case for spending the weekend somewhere a little different.
Location: Waverla, Karjat, Maharashtra
Getting there: Drive from Mumbai via Panvel and Karjat.
Book here
EKA — THE BRIDGE HOUSE, KARJAT
A private residence built across a natural gorge, with a stream flowing beneath it. Equal parts architectural experiment and peaceful escape, the four-bedroom retreat is proof that sometimes the most interesting part of a holiday is where you're staying.
Location: Humgaon, near Bhivpuri, Karjat, Maharashtra
Getting there: Drive from Mumbai towards Karjat.
Book here
VILLA EKANTA, ALIBAUG
Raw concrete, dramatic architecture and a private pool surrounded by greenery. This four-bedroom villa takes the usual coastal getaway in a very different design direction. For anyone who picks their stays as carefully as their furniture.
Location: Mandve, Alibaug, Maharashtra
Getting there: Drive from Mumbai or take a ferry to Mandwa, followed by a car transfer.
Book here
KAHANI PARADISE, GOKARNA
A private estate hidden within 20 acres of tropical gardens above Paradise Beach. With antique-filled interiors, an infinity pool and uninterrupted Arabian Sea views, this is a far more indulgent version of Gokarna than you might be expecting.
Location: Belekan, Gokarna, Karnataka
Getting there: Fly to Goa and continue south by road.
Book here
CASA JAALI, CANACONA
Ten intimate rooms and cottages perched above Patnem Bay, with tropical gardens and the sea practically on your doorstep. Add a waterfront kitchen and an easy, unhurried atmosphere, and suddenly those packed beach clubs don't seem quite so appealing.
Location: Colomb, Canacona, South Goa
Getting there: Fly to Goa and continue by road to Canacona.
Book here
ANANTYA AT ANAMIVA, ANJUNA
An art-filled boutique hideaway where sculptural details, carefully chosen Indian pieces and characterful interiors take centre stage. A little eccentric, a lot of personality, and definitely not your standard hotel experience.
Location: Gaonwadi, Anjuna, North Goa
Getting there: Fly to Goa and arrange a transfer to Anjuna.
Book here
BELLE MAISON, ALIBAUG
Location: Alibaug, near the Kihim and Awas area, Maharashtra
Getting there: Drive from Mumbai or travel via Mandwa Jetty.
Book here
ANTHEIA RESORTS, PAWNA LAKE
Caravan-inspired cottages, compact hideaways and a container-style villa with an outdoor Jacuzzi. Just seven boutique stays surrounded by greenery, with an infinity pool overlooking the water. A good reminder that getting away doesn't always require going very far.
Location: Chavsar Village, Pawna Lake, Maharashtra
Getting there: Drive from Mumbai via Lonavala.
Book here
THE OBEROI RAJGARH PALACE, KHAJURAHO
A 350-year-old palace set across 76 acres of forest, overlooking a natural lake. Restored royal architecture, private pool accommodations and the wilderness of Panna nearby make this a different kind of palace holiday.
Location: Rajgarh, near Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Getting there: Fly to Khajuraho, subject to flight availability, and arrange a road transfer.
Book here
SARISKA SAFARI LODGE, ALWAR
Wilderness on your doorstep, with the comforts of a luxury retreat. Surrounded by the Aravalli landscape and close to Sariska's wildlife country, this is a good reminder that the best views don't always come with an infinity pool.
Location: Thanagazi, Alwar district, Rajasthan
Getting there: Fly to Jaipur or Delhi and continue by road.
Book here
OUTPOST 12, KANHA
A nature-first retreat where the landscape takes centre stage. Less city noise, more forest trails, and the possibility of spending a night under the stars. The kind of experience that makes you forget to check your phone.
Location: Tilari, near Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Getting there: Fly to Jabalpur and arrange a road transfer.
Book here
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